Evergreen Coleman can lead us to Euro 24 - Kenny

STEPHEN KENNY wants Seamus Coleman to lead the Republic of Ireland to the finals of the 2024 European Championships.

The long-serving defender will be 35 then but Kenny doesn’t see his age as a barrier.

‘I want Seamus Coleman (right) playing at the European Championships in Germany and I’ve told him that,’ said Kenny.

The Ireland manager used the example of Stephan Lichtsteiner, who was almost 36 when he played for Switzerland against Ireland in a Euro qualifier in 2019.

‘I said to him (Coleman), “Look at Lichtsteiner and he played in that game at right wing-back”.’

Kenny, who signed a new deal on Wednesday to continue as manager through the Euro 2024 campaign, sees Coleman as a frontliner for club and country.

‘Since Frank Lampard has come in (at Everton), Seamus has actually played very, very well, up until the other night (against Spurs) which was just a bad night for the team.

‘I think if Seamus was 28, people would just say, “He hasn’t had a good game” but because he’s over 30 people are saying “He’s finished.” It’s not accurate, he’s been very good,’ he added.

Coleman was dropped by Kenny for his first two games in charge but was quickly restored to the team and is a regular in the three-man central defence.

If Coleman leads Ireland to Germany, he would follow outfield players John Aldridge (1994 World Cup), Niall Quinn (2002 World Cup), John O’Shea and Robbie Keane (both Euro 2016) as 35-year-olds who’ve played for Ireland in a major final. Shay Given was 36 when he kept goal at Euro 2012.